In the world of supermarkets, the appearance of fruits and vegetables is crucial. If produce doesn’t meet the strict standards for aesthetics, it’s often discarded rather than sold. This results in a significant loss of valuable nutrients and resources, especially at a time when people struggle to meet daily recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake.
Outcast Foods has found a solution to this problem by converting “ugly” produce into high-quality vegetal powders. These powders serve not only as protein supplements but also find their way into pet food, baby food, salad dressings, ice cream, soups, and various other consumer goods.
What sets Outcast Foods apart from other protein powders is its commitment to environmental sustainability. Unlike many animal-based protein powders with large carbon footprints, Outcast Foods sources its ingredients from a supply chain with significantly lower negative environmental impacts. Moreover, the incorporation of upcycled whole plants in their formulations sets them apart in terms of both ingredients and environmental responsibility.
The company collects a diverse array of fruits and vegetables, including leafy greens like kale, spinach, and Swiss chard, as well as carrots, tomatoes, strawberries, and other seasonal produce. Importantly, Outcast Foods doesn’t limit itself to organic misfit produce, emphasizing the prevention of fruits and vegetables from ending up in landfills for the sake of the planet.
The finished powder flavors, such as lemon meringue pie, fruit explosion, and pineapple coconut, provide a refreshing alternative to the typical chocolate, vanilla, and peanut butter options found in the protein section of grocery stores. These flavorful powders not only offer nutritional benefits but also contribute to reducing food waste.
Outcast Foods has rapidly expanded its reach, partnering with major Canadian retailers like Sportcheck, Sobey’s, and Well.ca, as well as collaborating with food processing companies such as Happy Planet Foods, Greenhouse Juice Co., Earth Animal, v-dog, and Nestlé. This strategic growth allows Outcast Foods to market its powders directly to consumers and integrate them into various food products.
Based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Outcast Foods addresses the twin challenges of food waste and inadequate nutrition. The company works closely with farmers to rescue imperfect produce, which is then promptly transformed into nutrient-rich powders. To preserve the micronutrients in these fruits and vegetables, Outcast Foods employs a unique approach of flash-chilling them in trucks immediately after harvest.
Once at the processing facility, the produce undergoes a thorough process that involves washing with vinegar and dehydration through a specialized machine. Outcast Foods emphasizes a commitment to minimal processing, preserving the integrity of whole plants and avoiding unnecessary food loss. CEO and co-founder Darren Burke emphasizes the importance of meeting or exceeding safety regulations to ensure that the final products are safe for human consumption.
Describing their facility as zero waste, Burke explains that everything they bring in is transformed into a product more valuable than the original material’s intended destination. In essence, Outcast Foods operates on the principle of upcycling, creating a positive impact on both nutrition and environmental sustainability. For detail check this
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